Oscillating toothbrush

ABSTRACT

Unique dental care devices, systems and methods for cleaning teeth and oral tissue comprises an oscillating tooth brush with dual opposing brush heads, adapted to clean teeth and sulcus area. The devices are capable of brushing a set of opposing upper and lower teeth of the mouth simultaneously. The devices, once inserted and positioned into the mouth to clean a pair or a set of opposing upper and lower teeth, can be maneuvered inside the mouth cavity from one side of the mouth to the other to clean all the teeth without requiring removal from the mouth and repositioning.

This application is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. 120 of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/890,044, entitled Oscillating Toothbrush andfiled on Sep. 24, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,176,590, which is hereinexpressly incorporated by reference, in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to address the important need to clean teeth, gums and certainparts or the entire mouth area to maintain oral hygiene, a number ofmanual and automated tooth and gum cleaning devices have been developed,including electric toothbrushes, oral irrigators and automated flossers.However, certain deficiencies remain with various such devices. Manualtoothbrushes, for instance, require the user to have a certain minimum,moderate degree of manual dexterity in order to achieve proper brushing.Conventional electric or mechanical toothbrushes, while often requiringless physical effort and dexterity than manual toothbrushes, stillrequire accurate human manipulation in order to achieve effectivecleaning. Additionally, current brushing systems do not adequately cleanmolars and pre-molars, both uppers and lowers. Both a difficult reach,and a lack of adequate time for proper brushing are factors that causethe molars and pre-molars area of the mouth to be prevalent diseaseareas.

The present invention is presented as overcoming one or more of theabove-mentioned drawbacks of the past oral and/or dental care devicesand provides an effective means of oral and/or dental care for people ofall ages, including those with natural teeth or with implants, crowns,braces and bridgework, as well as for people with limited dexterity, orhaving other handicaps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a dental care device for cleaningteeth and oral tissue, and more particularly to an oscillating toothbrush with dual opposing brush heads, adapted to clean teeth, includingthe sulcus area. Specifically, the present invention involves uniqueteeth cleaning devices, systems, and methods for cleaning teeth and oraltissue. Although there are toothbrush devices with dual brush heads,these devices are awkward and either cannot be or cannot easily bemanipulated to brush both the upper and lower teeth at the same time,particularly, all the teeth in a single cleaning operation that does notrequire removing and repositioning the toothbrush once inserted into themouth. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, there is provided atoothbrush that brushes a pair or set of opposing upper and lower teethof the mouth at the same time. In addition, the toothbrush, onceinserted and positioned into the mouth to clean a pair or a set ofopposing upper and lower teeth, can be maneuvered inside the mouthcavity from one side of the mouth to the other to clean all the teethwithout requiring removal of the toothbrush from the mouth andrepositioning of the toothbrush. Of course, the inventive system is alsosufficiently versatile to be effective used to clean only the upperteeth or only the lower teeth, if desired.

The scope of the present invention extends beyond the non-limitingexamples set forth herein and encompasses that which would be or shouldbe within the purview of one having ordinary skill in the art of oraland/or dental care devices and toothbrushes.

As described elsewhere herein, the present invention encompasses manualand mechanically driven toothbrushes. Accordingly, various means ofproviding oscillating up and down motion to the brush heads that areobvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art of toothbrushes andoral and dental devices are also encompassed within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, means encompassed in the presentinvention include vibrating rods or strings or reciprocating cams orgears. In one embodiment, the brush heads are driven by an offset camattached to an electric motor. As the motor revolves, it rotates the caminside an enclosed shell which is attached to a flexure. In anotherembodiment, the brush heads can oscillate using electromagneticradiation (EMR).

The devices of the present invention comprise dual opposing brush headsconnected or detachably connected via a flexure to one end of atoothbrush handle.

The flexure in the present invention is substantially rigid, yetsufficiently flexible to permit gentle up and down movement of the brushheads when activated, as described elsewhere herein. In one embodiment,the flexure is a substantially planar or a substantially flat piece. Inanother embodiment, the flexure is a generally flat piece and at least aportion of the flexure is substantially planar or substantially flat.The generally flat and/or substantially flat or planar nature of even aportion of the flexure may permit the flexure to be substantially rigid,yet flexible to allow for gentle up and down movement of the flexureand, therefore the brush heads, in the plane of the flat side of theflexure. Furthermore, the flexure may comprise a part that is exposed tothe user where it is linked to the upper and lower brush heads, and apart that is unexposed to the user in the assembled device that extendsinto the handle along the axis of the handle. Preferably, the flexuremay be substantially planar or substantially flat or at least have aportion that is substantially planar or substantially flat at theunexposed part that extends into the handle along the axis.

The flexure described herein may be either flexible or rigid in nature.In the embodiment where the flexure is flexible, it is preferablyflexible in only one direction, preferably in the plane intersecting theflexure and the two brush heads that allows for up and down motion ofthe brush heads in the plane intersecting the flexure and brush heads.The flexure may be flexible throughout or only in some portions or areasor parts, such as for example, in the unexposed part, or, for example,in the exposed part, and is preferably flexible in only one direction,preferably in the plane intersecting the flexure and the two brushheads, that allows for up and down motion of the brush heads in theplane intersecting the flexure and brush heads. Such flexibility isadvantageous in making the action of teeth brushing or gum massagingthorough yet gentle and comfortable for the user as opposed tomechanical vibration from rigidly held brush heads which can be veryoverpowering and aggressive, and therefore may be uncomfortable for theuser. Therefore such flexibility in the flexure allows for up and downmovement in the plane intersecting the flexure and brush heads, andensures thorough cleaning by maintaining maximum rigidity in tension andcompression applied to the brush head while being gentle. Any material,for example, any plastic or metal, such as an inert or corrosionresistant metal such as, for example, stainless steel, or plastic coatedmetal, or a plastic, such as, for example, polyethylene plastic, that issufficiently rigid and strong to firmly and detachably connect and holdthe brush head piece or pieces while being flexible enough to give in toup and down motion, may be used for the flexure. The flat side orportion or area of the flexure is sized to be about as wide as the widthof the eccentric box that is detachably or permanently attached to it,as described elsewhere herein, to about as wide as the width of thebrush head piece, preferably about 0.1 inches to about 0.25 inches inwidth; and about 0.2 inches to about 2 inches in length, preferablyabout 0.5 to about 1 inch in length. Furthermore, the flexure is sized,dimensioned and shaped to have varying length, width and thicknessthroughout, depending on its design. The thickness of the flexure mayvary throughout and at its flat side, may be between generally betweenabout 0.01 inches and about 0.25 inches. The length, width and thicknessof the flexure of course are also dependent on the nature of thematerial used for the flexure to ultimately afford optimum comfort whilebeing flexible yet sufficiently rigid and strong to firmly hold thebrush head piece.

The brush head piece of the present invention comprises two brush headslinked to each other at their bases such that the brush heads with thebristles are disposed substantially opposite each other. In addition,the single piece with dual brush heads described thus is detachablyconnected to said flexure where the bases of the two brush heads arelinked and is adapted to pivot freely about the connection to theflexure. In one embodiment, the opposing dual brush heads may bepermanently linked together at their bases such that the bristles of thetwo brush heads are exposed. In this embodiment, the upper and lowerbrush heads form a single piece. In another embodiment, the upper andlower brush heads may be separate pieces. Regardless of whether theupper and lower brush heads are linked to each other or not, they fit orlock either as a single piece or as two separate pieces to thesubstantially flat or flatter side of the flexure such that the brushheads can rotate or pivot independently or in tandem, respectively,substantially in the plane of the flexure where it is flat and abouttheir point of connection to the flexure. In other words, the point oflinkage to the flexure functions as a pivot for the swiveling/rotatingmotion of the brush heads. The brush head piece or pieces thereforerotate or pivot freely 360 degrees about the connection to the flexure.When inserted and positioned inside the mouth, the brush head piece orpieces can rotate upto 180° about the connection to the flexure.

The dual opposing brush heads, either as a single piece or as twoseparate pieces, are adapted to fit or lock detachably into the flexureat its flat side and may be replaceable. Therefore, once the userdetermines that the brush heads do not adequately perform their cleaningtask, the user can replace the brush heads. Various means of removablyor detachably locking or fitting the brush head piece or pieces into theflexure that are obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art oftoothbrushes and oral and dental devices are encompassed within thescope of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment, theflexure has an open loop that the brush head piece or pieces snap(s)into and lock(s) around either in the central rigid area where the basesof the brush heads are permanently linked in the single piece or in thebase area of each of the individual brush head pieces. In anotherembodiment, the flexure has a short rigid rod extending equidistantlyperpendicular to the plane of the flat side of the flexure at the end ofthe exposed part into which the brush head piece or pieces snap or lockinto via a single or two rigid open loops present in the brush piece orpieces, respectively.

In addition, the single brush head piece or two pieces as a whole, incombination with the bristles, are sized to provide a desirable andcomfortable fit closely around the upper and lower set of opposing teethand surrounding gum area such that the brush head can oscillate up anddown to clean the teeth and the gum/sulci area and once inserted andpositioned into the mouth can rotate upto 180 degrees about the pivotingconnection to the flexure to clean all the teeth from one side of themouth to the other in the mouth without requiring removal from andrepositioning of the toothbrush in the mouth. Accordingly, a singlebrush head piece may be about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch, or preferablybetween 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, or more preferably about 0.75inches, in height. A single brush head piece may be about 0.1 inches toabout 0.75 inches, or preferably between 0.25 inches to about 0.5inches, or more preferably about 0.75 inches in width. Separate upperand lower brush heads may be about 0.05 inches to about 0.5 inches,preferably about 0.375 inches, both in height and width.

The brush heads may comprise bristles of varying angle, thickness,firmness and length that are adapted to adequately brush and clean apair or set of opposing upper and lower teeth as well as the nearbysulcus area and embrasures. The angles and bristle sizes are preferablyselected so that the bristles of the brushes come down on each side ofthe teeth at an acute angle so that the bristles enter and clean thesulcus area as well as the sides of the teeth and the embrasures. Forexample, an angle of the brush fibers at 0-10 degrees, preferably 10degrees, for the lower fibers and 0-45 degrees, preferably 45 degrees,for the side fibers may allow for constant contact with the teeth of theuser. Such coverage is further increased by the mechanical movement ofthe brush head up and down caused by up and down vibration on the planeintersecting the flexure and brush head bristles which drives thebristles into the gum area thereby cleaning the hard to reach and oftenneglected sulci area. In one embodiment, the bristles in the upper andlower brush head are substantially identical in number, angle and/oroverall shape. In another embodiment, the bristles in the upper andlower brush heads may be angled and shaped differently or may bedifferent in number in order to custom fit the needs of the user. In oneembodiment, the bristles of the upper and lower brush head are, forexample, arranged to substantially contact or enclose exposed portions(sides and biting areas) of a pair or set of opposing upper and lowerteeth, including the neighboring sulcus/gum area. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, each of the opposing brush heads is made up of a group ofbristles formed in a “U” shape encapsulated in the head. The bristles inthe brush heads may be arranged, for example, to substantially surroundor fit closely around the exposed portions of a pair or set of opposingupper and lower teeth and the adjacent gum areas.

In one embodiment, a grommet fits over the handle to link the flexureand the handle. The handle houses an eccentric drive box or block, whichis described as an enclosed shell elsewhere herein, into which one endof a single, substantially rigid drive shaft extends. The end of thedrive shaft has an eccentric weight that extends into the eccentric box.The eccentric weight is an off center weight. In other words, theeccentric weight is offset from the centerline of the driving shaft. Theeccentric weight has a dual purpose. The fact that it is off center fromthe centerline of the driving shaft forces the flexure up and down. Inaddition, the fact that it is off balanced adds inertia to the forcebeing applied to the flexure. The flexure and the substantially rigiddrive shaft are arranged in a direction that is substantially along theaxis of the handle. The eccentric drive box or block is located insidethe handle to facilitate rotation of the eccentric weight connected tothe drive shaft inside the eccentric box or block. Inside the handle,the flexure is permanently or detachably affixed or attached to a sideof the eccentric drive box or block at its substantially flat or planarside in the unexposed portion extending into the handle. The rigid driveshaft is linked to a motor on the other end inside the handle housingwith one end linked to the eccentric weight and extending into theeccentric box or block as described herein. The motor can be operatedeither via direct power or using a battery. In other words, thetoothbrush may be battery operated or may be operated by plugging itinto an electrical power source. In the embodiment where the motor isbattery operated, the battery is housed inside the handle. In theembodiment where the tooth brush may be plugged into an electrical powersource, an electrical cord connected to the motor with a plug pin at itsfree end extends outward from the handle, preferably from the base ofthe handle.

When the motor is turned on using a switch that is located on theoutside portion of the handle, it revolves and the connected drive shaftrotates and therefore the eccentric weight rotates inside the eccentricbox or enclosed shell, and transmits oscillating vibration via theflexure to the brush heads. When the toothbrush is activated, the shaftoperates to transmit the oscillating up and down motion to the brushheads.

The devices of the present invention may further include in the handlehousing, an electronics board that automatically gives the user anappropriate time frame for brushing teeth. The automatic time sensor mayinclude an audible alert to signal that sufficient time has elapsed.

The devices of the invention may further include a fluid delivery systemthat delivers fluid to the brush heads to enhance the cleaning ability.The fluids delivered include water and antiseptic solutions. Inaddition, the devices may include a line to evacuate the fluids from theuser's mouth.

Further means may be provided for cleaning the top or biting surfaces ofthe teeth as well as the sides of the teeth, which include means todrive the bristles.

More particularly, there is provided, in one embodiment, an oralcleaning device which comprises a brush head piece, a flexure, and ahandle, wherein the flexure is connected to the brush head piece at oneend and the handle at the other end. The brush head piece comprises twobrush heads, wherein each of the two brush heads have a base and the twobrush heads are linked to each other at their respective bases, suchthat the brush heads are disposed substantially opposite each other. Thebrush head piece is detachably connected to the flexure at the pointwhere the bases of the brush heads are linked and is adapted to pivotfreely about the connection to the flexure. Preferably, the flexure is asubstantially flat piece, and is adapted to permit up and down movementin the plane of the flexure and brush heads. Because of this uniqueconstruction, all teeth of a user can be cleaned without removing thedevice from the mouth of a user and repositioning it. The flexurepreferably comprises an exposed part where it is connected to the brushhead piece and an unexposed part extending into the handle. Theunexposed part of the flexure is substantially planar.

An eccentric box is provided, to which the flexure is affixed. A rigiddrive shaft has first end connected to an off-center weight that extendsinto the eccentric box, and is linked at a second end to a motor. Apower source is connected to the motor, wherein the eccentric box, theeccentric weight, rigid drive shaft, a portion of the flexure and themotor are all housed in the handle.

Rotation of the drive shaft transmits an up and down oscillatingvibration to the brush heads via the flexure, to permit effectivebrushing of the teeth and stimulation of the gum area of a user. Thebristles of both of the brush heads are adapted to substantially contactand fit around a pair or set of opposing upper and lower teeth of a usersimultaneously. In one preferred embodiment, the bristles are angledbetween 0° and 45°.

In some embodiments of the invention, a fluid delivery line is provided.Water, an antiseptic solution, or other suitable fluid may be suppliedto the user's mouth through the fluid delivery line. A suction line mayalso be provided, as well as one or more of a timing device and analarm. A drive system may be provided for moving the brush bristles.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided an oral cleaningdevice which comprises a brush plate and a plurality of brush headsconnected to the brush plate and disposed at an angle thereto, whereintwo of the plurality of brush heads are disposed at opposed anglesrelative to said brush plate. A handle is provided for supporting andoperating the brush heads, and hinges pivotally mount each of theplurality of brush heads to the brush plate, wherein the brush heads maybe pivotally adjusted to accommodate differently sized teeth. A flexure,which is preferably a substantially flat piece, connects the brush plateto the handle. The flexure is adapted to permit up and down movement inthe plane of the flexure and brush heads. Using this system, all teethof a user can be cleaned without removing the device from the mouth of auser and repositioning it.

An eccentric box is provided, to which the flexure is affixed. A rigiddrive shaft has a first end connected to an off-center weight thatextends into the eccentric box, and a motor to which a second end of therigid drive shaft is linked. A power source is connected to the motor,wherein the eccentric box, the eccentric weight, rigid drive shaft, aportion of the flexure and motor are housed in the handle. Rotation ofthe drive shaft transmits an up and down oscillating vibration to thebrush heads via the flexure to permit effective brushing of the teethand stimulation of the gum area of a user.

The plurality of brush heads are each disposed on a base, and the hingesconnect each base to the brush plate. In certain embodiments, a pair ofthe plurality of brush heads are opposed to one another on one side ofthe brush plate, and another pair of the plurality of brush heads areopposed to one another on an opposing side of the brush plate. Thus, thebristles of both of the pairs of brush heads are adapted tosubstantially contact and fit around a pair or set of opposing upper andlower teeth of a user simultaneously. In certain embodiments, the systemfurther comprises a fluid delivery line. Water may flow through thefluid delivery line, or, alternatively, an antiseptic solution may flowthrough the delivery line. A suction line may also be provided, as wellas a timing device and alarm. A drive system is provided for moving thebristles.

In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an oralcleaning device which comprises a brush plate and a plurality of brushheads connected to the brush plate and disposed at an angle thereto. Afirst pair of the plurality of brush heads are disposed at opposedangles relative to the brush plate on one side thereof, and a secondpair of brush heads are disposed at opposed angles relative to the brushplate on an opposing side thereof. A handle supports and operates thebrush heads. The brush plate comprises a plurality of support membersextending from a main portion, each of the support members supportingone base on which one of the brush heads is disposed. In certainembodiments, the opposed angles are adjustable. The invention, togetherwith additional features and advantages thereof, may best be understoodby reference to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an oscillating toothbrush constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the flexure in FIG. 1 extending inside the handle;

FIG. 3 is a perpendicular cross-sectional view of an oscillatingtoothbrush in accordance with FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connection of the flexure to thebrush head and eccentric box and motor in accordance with FIG. 1 andFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the connection of the flexure to the brush head andeccentric box in accordance with FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of the connection of the flexure to the brush head andeccentric box in accordance with FIG. 5 wherein the brush head componentis detached from the flexure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an oscillating toothbrush with a brushhead in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an oscillating toothbrush with abrush head in accordance with FIG. 7 and with a fluid delivery line;

FIG. 9 is an elevational end view of a modified embodiment of a base foruse in supporting the brush heads of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the base shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view showing a toothbrush assembled using thebase as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 11 showing the toothbrushassembly of FIG. 11 in a partially disassembled state, and also showingan alternative brush head embodiment having opposed brush heads; and

FIG. 13 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 11 showing a toothbrushassembled using the modified opposed brush head base of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS.1-3 two perpendicular top views of an oscillating toothbrush 10. Asshown in both FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the toothbrush 10 comprises dualopposing brush heads 12 in a single brush head piece 11 which areconnected to each other at their respective bases 13 as shown in FIG. 3and detachably connected at this point of linkage to a flexure 14. Theflexure 14 is a generally flat piece and comprises a part that isexposed where it is detachably linked to the upper and lower brushheads, and a part where it extends via a grommet 16 into the handle 18(unexposed parts not shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIG. 2). The grommet16 fits over the handle 18. The brush heads fit or lock to respective,opposing flatter sides 19 a, 19 b (FIG. 5) of the flexure 14 such thatthe brush heads can rotate or pivot in tandem substantially in the planeof each of the flatter sides of the flexure and about the point oflinkage of the bases of the brush heads to the flexure 14. FIG. 1 is atop view of the tooth brush that shows the flatness of the flexure 14and FIG. 3 is a top view of the tooth brush that shows the thickness ofthe flexure 14. Also shown in FIG. 1 is power switch 20.

FIG. 2 shows how the flexure extends via grommet 16 inside handle 18.Also shown in FIG. 2 is the upper side of an eccentric box 22 that isattached either permanently or detachably to a substantially flat orplanar portion of flexure 14 that extends inside the handle andtherefore is not normally seen when a user is regularly operating thetoothbrush.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of an oscillating toothbrush shownin FIG. 1. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, inside the upper portion of thehandle 18, the flexure is permanently affixed or attached to a side ofthe eccentric drive box or block 22 at a part or portion or area or sidethat is substantially flat or planar. The grommet 16 fits over thehandle 18. The handle 18 houses an eccentric drive box or block, intowhich one end of a single, substantially rigid drive shaft 24 extends.The end of the drive shaft 24 that extends into the eccentric box 22 hasan eccentric weight 26. The eccentric weight 26 is offset from thecenterline of the drive shaft and forces the flexure up and down. Theeccentric weight is off balance to add inertia to the force beingapplied to the flexure. The flexure 14 and the substantially rigid driveshaft 24 are arranged in a direction that is substantially along theaxis of the handle 18. The eccentric drive box or block 22 is locatedinside the grommet 16 to facilitate rotation of the drive shaft 24inside the eccentric box or block 22 and thereby, rotation or movementof the eccentric weight 26 inside the box or block. The rigid driveshaft 24 is linked to a motor 28 on the other end inside the handlehousing with one end extending into the eccentric box or block 22 withthe off center eccentric weight connected to its end as describedherein. In this embodiment, the motor 28 is operated using a powersource 30 (battery) housed inside the handle 18. Also included is anelectronic chip 32 that is used for a timer with an alarm. Elements 30and 32 are shown in FIG. 8.

When the motor 28 is turned on, using a switch 20 that is located on theoutside portion of the handle (shown in FIG. 1), it revolves and theconnected drive shaft 24 and therefore the eccentric weight 26 that islinked to the end of the shaft rotates inside the eccentric box 22, andtransmits oscillating vibration via the flexure 14 to the brush heads12. When the toothbrush 10 is activated, the shaft 24 operates totransmit oscillating up and down motion to the brush heads 12.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the entire flexure 14, including theareas not exposed to the user once assembled, and the eccentric box 22,drive shaft 24 and motor 28. In this figure, the flexure 14 is shown asbeing permanently affixed or attached to a side of the eccentric drivebox or block 22 at its substantially flat or planar side or portion andfurther extending parallel to the drive shaft 24. The other end of theflexure 14, which is the exposed portion extending out of the grommet 16(FIGS. 1 and 2) detachably connects to the brush heads 12. Shownextending into the eccentric drive box or block 22, is the rigid driveshaft 24 with an off center eccentric weight connected to the end of theshaft and extending into the eccentric drive box 22. As seen, theflexure 14 and the substantially rigid drive shaft 24 are substantiallyparallel to each other and are arranged in a direction that is generallyalong the axis of the handle 18. The rigid drive shaft 24 is linked tothe motor 28 on the other end.

FIG. 5 illustrates the connection of the flexure 14 to the brush head 12and eccentric box 22 in accordance with FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a view of theconnection of the flexure 14 to the brush head 12 and eccentric box 22in accordance with FIG. 5, wherein the brush head component 12 isdetached from the flexure.

In this embodiment is shown one means of detachably connecting theflexure 14 to the brush heads 12. However, the present inventionencompasses other means of detachably connecting the brush head piece tothe flexure that are obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Illustrated in FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an oscillating toothbrushwith a brush head configuration in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. Shown in FIG. 7 are indicator lights 34.

In FIG. 8, there is illustrated a perspective view of an oscillatingtoothbrush with a brush head configuration in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Included in this figure is a fluiddelivery line 36 that extends out from the base of the toothbrush handle18 to be connected to a fluid source such as a drinking water faucet ora container with an antiseptic solution.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a toothbrush 110having a brush head piece 111 for supporting the brush heads 112,comprising bases 113, a flexure 114, a handle 118 including a powerbutton 120, and a transition member 138 for joining the flexure to thehandle. The transition member 138 is quickly removed and installed tochange out brush heads on the handle 118. In one version of thisembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11 and 12, three sets of brushes 112are disposed on the brush head, with one horizontal set arranged to besubstantially parallel to the plane of the flexure 114 and the other twosets at opposed angles to the horizontal set, as shown, to ensureoptimal coverage of the front, back, and bottom sides, respectively, ofa user's upper or lower set of teeth. Advantageously, hinges 140 areprovided for pivotally securing the angled brush sets to the horizontalbrush set. The horizontal brush set is disposed on a horizontal base113, which is mounted on a brush plate 142. The hinges pivotally securethe two angled bases 113 to the brush plate 142. This feature allows theangled sets to be pivoted angularly about the hinges 140 in order tooptimize the brush separation and angles to the width of a user's teeth.As shown particularly in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12, for example, the brushplate 142 comprises a securing portion 143 a having a planar dimension(dimension, such as width or diameter, in the plane of the horizontalcenter base 113 of the brush head piece 111, as well as in the plane ofopposing surfaces 114 a, 114 b of the flexure 114) which is greater thana planar dimension of an aperture 141 extending through the flexure. Aconnection portion 143 b is joined to and extends from the securingportion 143 a on one side, and is joined to the horizontal base 113 ofthe brush head piece 111 on its opposing side, as shown in FIG. 9. Theplanar dimension of the securing portion 143 a is substantially greaterthan a planar dimension of the connection portion 143 b, as shown. Theplanar dimension of the connection portion 143 b is less than the planardimension of the aperture 141, so that the connection portion 143 b canextend through the aperture in a manner sufficiently loose to permitrotation of the connection portion within the aperture, and thus theattached brush head piece relative to the flexure, from one of theopposing flexure sides 114 a to the other of the opposing flexure sides114 b. As is obvious from the drawing, a thickness (length) of theconnection portion 143 b, which extends from the connection portion 143b on one end to the base 113 on the other end, in a direction orthogonalto its planar dimension, is greater than the thickness of the flexure114, so that the connection portion can extend all of the way throughthe aperture 141, as shown. As shown, when the brush head piece isassembled to the flexure, the securing portion 143 a covers the aperture141 on flexure surface 114 a and the base 113 covers the aperture 141 onflexure surface 114 b. As those of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate from an inspection of the relevant figures, thisattachment system, comprising the securing portion and connectionportion, functions to dampen spurious and unwanted vibration otherwisetransmitted from the flexure to the brush head piece while retaining arotatability function, and, as is shown, comprises a relatively softmaterial, like a grommet.

It is noted that the horizontal brush set is optional, and only the twoangled sets may be used alternatively. This arrangement is shown in themodified embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13. In thismodified embodiment, both upper and lower brush sets are provided, butonly angled brush heads 112 are present. Of course, this embodimentcould be constructed with a third horizontal brush set, like the oneshown in the related FIG. 12 embodiment, if desired.

The dual brush head embodiment shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 13, like thesingle brush head embodiment shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12, may employhinges 140, securing the bases 113 to respective support members 144 topermit adjustments of the brush head angles, or the construction canalternatively be fixed. Hinges 146 may also or alternatively be providedto pivotally secure the other end of each support member 144 to thebrush plate, as shown, to provide additional customization.

The oscillating brush device can brush upper or lower teethsimultaneously or independently, depending upon the selected embodiment.Thus, the system can work in two halves separately, as a stand-alone, orin combination with upper and lower brushes.

All of the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, andmany changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one havingordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, which is to be limited only in accordance with thefollowing claims. For example, one such modification would be tosubstitute an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) power source, such as thatutilized in the Pulsonic Model 3715 manufactured by Braun under thetrademark ORAL-B for the motor drive shown and described herein, for thepurpose of driving the brush heads 12.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral cleaning device comprising: a brushplate, a plurality of brush heads connected to the brush plate anddisposed at an angle thereto, wherein two of the plurality of brushheads are disposed at opposed angles relative to said brush plate; ahandle for supporting and operating the brush heads; hinges forpivotally mounting each of the plurality of brush heads to the brushplate, wherein the brush heads may be pivotally adjusted to accommodatedifferently sized teeth; a flexure for connecting the brush plate to thehandle; an eccentric box to which said flexure is affixed; a rigid driveshaft having a first end connected to an off-center weight that extendsinto the eccentric box; a motor to which a second end of the rigid driveshaft is linked; and a power source connected to the motor, wherein theeccentric box, the eccentric weight, rigid drive shaft, a portion of theflexure, and motor are housed in the handle.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the flexure is a substantially flat piece.
 3. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the flexure is adapted to permit up and down movementin the plane of the flexure and brush heads.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein all teeth of a user can be cleaned without removing the devicefrom the mouth of a user and repositioning it.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein rotation of the drive shaft transmits an up and down oscillatingvibration to the brush heads via the flexure to permit effectivebrushing of the teeth and stimulation of the gum area of a user.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said plurality of brush heads are eachdisposed on a base, and further wherein the hinges connect each base tothe brush plate.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein a pair of saidplurality of brush heads are opposed to one another on one side of thebrush plate, and another pair of said plurality of brush heads areopposed to one another on an opposing side of the brush plate, whereinthe bristles of both of said pairs of brush heads are adapted tosubstantially contact and fit around a pair or set of opposing upper andlower teeth of a user simultaneously.
 8. The device of claim 1 andfurther comprising a fluid delivery line.
 9. The device of claim 1,wherein water flows through the fluid delivery line.
 10. The device ofclaim 9 wherein an antiseptic solution flows through the delivery line.11. The device of claim 9 and further comprising a suction line.
 12. Thedevice of claim 1, and further comprising a timing device and alarm. 13.The device of claim 1 and further comprising a drive system for movingthe bristles.
 14. An oral cleaning device comprising: a brush headpiece, a flexure, and a handle wherein said flexure is connected to saidbrush head piece at one end and said handle at the other end, the handlecomprising a motor for driving and vibrating the brush head piecethrough the flexure in an up and down motion; said brush head piececomprising two brush heads, each of said two brush heads having a baseand the two brush heads being linked to each other at their respectivebases such that the brush heads are opposed to one another, said brushhead piece being detachably connected to the flexure at the point wherethe bases of the brush heads are linked and being adapted to pivot orrotate freely about the connection to the flexure.
 15. A brush headsystem for use in an oral cleaning device, comprising: a brush headpiece and a flexure, wherein the flexure is connected to the brush headpiece at one end and is adapted for connection to a handle comprising amotor for driving and vibrating the brush head piece through the flexurein an up and down motion, at the other end; a brush plate for attachingthe brush head piece to the flexure, the brush plate comprising asecuring portion having a planar dimension and a connection portionextending from the securing portion and having a planar dimension lessthan the planar dimension of the securing portion, the connectionportion having a thickness greater than a thickness of the flexure andthe planar dimension of the securing portion being substantially greaterthan the planar dimension of the connection portion; wherein thesecuring portion is disposed across a first surface of the flexure andcovers an aperture extending through the flexure, its planar dimensionbeing greater than a planar dimension of the aperture, the connectionportion extending through the aperture, its planar dimension being lessthan the planar dimension of the aperture, and the brush head pieceextending across a second opposing surface of the flexure and coveringthe aperture extending through the flexure.
 16. The brush head system asrecited in claim 15, wherein the connection portion is rotatable withinthe aperture so that the brush head piece is also rotatable about anaxis running through the aperture.
 17. The brush head system as recitedin claim 15, said brush head piece comprising two brush heads, each ofsaid two brush heads having a base and the two brush heads being linkedto each other at their respective bases such that the brush heads areopposed to one another.